New Delhi: Microsoft launch of the Windows 10 last year was coupled with a significant decision to give it away as a free upgrade for Windows 7 and 8.1 users on July 29 in 2015.
The offer was for valid for one year and with the period now drawing to a close, the company has decided to stop the free updates from July 29, after which the full version will cost $ 119 (approximately Rs 7923) or free on a new machine.
Yusuf Mehdi, corporate vice president of Microsoft Windows, wrote on the company blog, "The free upgrade offer to Windows 10 was a first for Microsoft, helping people upgrade faster than ever before. And time is running out. The free upgrade offer will end on July 29... After July 29th, you'll be able to continue to get Windows 10 on a new device, or purchase a full version of Windows 10 Home for $119."
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Mehdi’s blog also carried other facts related to Windows 10.
- Windows 10 is now running on over 300 million devices, which probably include the mobiles that run Windows 10 Mobile.
- Also over 63 billion minutes were spent on Microsoft Edge in March, with 50 per cent growth in minutes since the last quarter.
- Mehdi in the blog writes, “People are playing games on Windows 10 more than ever before, with over 9 billion hours of gameplay on Windows 10 since launch."
- Apps that come with Windows 10 also have Photos, Groove Music, and Movies & TV, which are seeing millions of active users each month, including more than 144 million people using Photos.
- Cortana, the personal assistant of Windows 10, has answered over 6 billion questions so far.
Windows 10 is available in different editions – Home, Pro, Enterprise and Education. To buy Windows 10 Home, you will have to spend Rs. 7,999 / $119 and Windows 10 Pro will be available for Rs. 14,999 / $199 from the Microsoft online store or retail stores.
